Kural #469
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Tamil text
நன்றாற்ற லுள்ளுந் தவுறுண்டு
அவரவர் பண்பறிந்து ஆற்றாக் கடை
Naṉṟāṟṟa luḷḷun tavuṟuṇṭu
Avaravar paṇpaṟintu āṟṟāk kaṭai
English translation
Even in doing good, there can be error if one does not understand the nature of each person involved.
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Explanation
Good intentions are not enough. Even benevolent actions can backfire if we don't understand the character and needs of those we are trying to help. Tailoring our approach to each individual is essential.
விளக்கம்
நன்மை செய்தாலும், ஒவ்வொருவர் குணத்தையும் அறியாமல் செய்தால் தவறாக முடியும். 'தெரிந்து செயல்வகை' அதிகாரத்தின்படி, யாருக்கு எப்படி உதவினால் பலன் கிடைக்கும் என யோசித்துச் செய்ய வேண்டும். பண்பறிந்து உதவினால், அதுவே சிறந்த நன்மை.
Word meanings
- நன்றுnaṉṟugood
- ஆற்றல்āṟṟaldoing
- உள்ளும்uḷḷumeven within
- தவறுtavaṟuerror
- உண்டுuṇṭuthere is
- அவரவர்avaravareach person
- பண்புpaṇpunature/character
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
- ஆற்றாāṟṟānot doing
- கடைkaṭaiwhen
Story behind this kural
The village elder, Tharan, was known for his generosity. One harsh winter, he decided to help his neighbors. He noticed the woodcutter, Arul, struggled to feed his family. So, Tharan gave Arul a sack of rice. Arul, however, felt ashamed, as he was a proud man. He hid the rice, refusing to accept charity. Next, Tharan saw the weaver, Kamala, whose loom was broken. He offered to repair it, but Kamala, overwhelmed by the sudden kindness, felt unworthy and refused his help. Finally, Tharan visited the potter, Kumar. He knew Kumar was skilled but lacked clay. Tharan offered to help him gather clay from the riverbank. Kumar, grateful for the practical assistance, readily accepted. He produced beautiful pots, and soon, his family thrived. Tharan smiled, understanding the different hearts of his neighbors.